When to Plant Tomatoes in Ohio
In Ohio, the time to transplant tomatoes outside runs from Apr 15 – Apr 29 in Cleveland to May 15 – May 29 in Warren. In Columbus, it's Apr 27 – May 11. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Apr 8 in Cleveland, May 8 in Warren), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Tomatoes are killed by frost and sulk in cold soil. Wait until nights stay above 50°F, usually one to three weeks after the average last frost.
- Start indoors: 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Transplant outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Tomatoes planting dates in Ohio by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Transplant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Beavercreek | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Canton | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Cincinnati | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Cleveland | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Cleveland Heights | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Columbus | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Cuyahoga Falls | 6b | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 |
| Dayton | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Delaware | 6b | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Dublin | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Elyria | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Euclid | 7a | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Fairfield | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Findlay | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Gahanna | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Grove City | 6b | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Hamilton | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Hilliard | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Huber Heights | 6b | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Kettering | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Lakewood | 7a | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Lancaster | 6a | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Lorain | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Mansfield | 6a | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 |
| Marion | 6a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Mason | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Mentor | 7a | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Middletown | 6b | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 |
| Newark | 6a | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 |
| North Ridgeville | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Parma | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Reynoldsburg | 6b | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Springfield | 6a | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 |
| Strongsville | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Toledo | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Upper Arlington | 6b | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Warren | 6a | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | May 15 – May 29 |
| Westerville | 6b | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Apr 29 – May 13 |
| Youngstown | 6a | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | May 8 – May 22 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Ohio, or the general guide to when to plant tomatoes.
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